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What Size PEX Should I Use for My Shower?
PEX is an alternative to PVC, and you use it in plumbing. It comes in a wide range of sizes and can flex easily.
3/4 Pex is the size in tubing for PEX piping that you can use for anything from radiant heating systems to irrigation needs. You can use it in all types of situations where you need water.
However, you must ensure it boasts proper installation and pressure to run it. The distance between the 3-4 PEX toilet and a shower will vary depending on the location, but most should be at least 10 ft.
My advice is to use a T-joint or L-joint when running your pipe from your toilet to the shower, as it can increase the flow and capacity of water by as much as 50%.
You should completely seal the piping system with rubber sealing rings for maximum protection against leaks or other damage.
Make sure you have enough water pressure to get the best experience. If it takes too long to fill your bathtub, it’s not worth it because your shower will be in the same state.
You also want to ensure that the pipes are durable for everyday use. The older one is, the more vulnerable it is to leaks which can cause a serious mess and financial loss if something breaks.
You also want to ensure the pipes will not make a weird noise. This can be a serious hassle when you’re getting ready for bed and you hear a horrible noise.
How Much Pressure Can 3/4 PEX?
PEX tubing is medium-density polyethylene that can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees. It’s used in various applications, including gas and water piping.
Here is how much pressure 3/4 PEX can hold without rupturing:
| Type | Pressure |
| 3/4” PEX Tubing for Plumbing | 160 PSI at 73°F |
| 3/4” PEX Tubing for Fuel Gas | 600 PSI |
| 3/4” PEX Tubing for Power Line | 100 PSI at 180°F |
| 3/4” PEX Tubing for Water and Waste Drainage Systems | 475 PSI |
| 3/4″ or 1″ PEX Crimps 6. 3/4″ or 1″ PEX Bolts | 100 PSI at 180°F (82°C) |
What Size Water Line Goes to A Shower?
A typical water line size for a shower is 1/2 inch in diameter. However, this can vary depending on the location of the shower and what you are using as a water heater, as well as the number of people using the shower.
A one-half-inch water line can carry up to 60 gallons per minute of hot water. You will have enough hot water for multiple showers if you have a heater of 80 gallons per hour.
A larger water line, 3/4 inch, is only needed if you have multiple people using the shower simultaneously and your home only has a 40-gallon per hour heater.
The 1/2″ water lines used for showers are typically copper, but you can PEX or galvanize steel. If copper tubing is used, it’s generally scheduling 40 and has a thickness of .020 inches.
If you go up to 3/4″ in water line size, you will need to expand the diameter of the wire so it won’t kink when connecting your showerhead or other shower components.
The thickness of the metal becomes more important too. This is because the thicker the metal, the more durable it will be. In this case, 1/2″ copper would not hold up as long as 3/4″ PEX or steel.
You don’t need a 3/4″ water line because a larger water line size means more pressure, and more pressure can cause your showerhead to break from too much force.
If someone over 6 feet tall is using a shower, the pressure is enough to break the showerhead.
What Is the Maximum GPM For 3/4 Pipe?
The max GPM for a 3/4″ iron pipe at 40PSI is 16GPM with an average velocity of around 8.8 ft/second, assuming it’s new or nearly new.
The pipe has a greater internal resistance and is a little more viscous, so it can hold on to slightly less water per foot than a 1-1/4″ pipe. Don’t use your hose bib because it will waste too much water.
These are the numbers for well water. If the water is softened, it will flow a little easier, but not that much more than this.
I have only calculated the resistance using the inside of the pipe and not the fittings, valves, or anything else. So it will be a little less than this number.
Sometimes, you might want to leave a little head room if you are dealing with a very old dirty pipe. 17 GPM is also fine if you don’t plan on running your pump dry.
The 8.8 ft/second velocity is pretty good, considering the pipe is very old. It’s just right for 3/4″.
If you are running a huge pump, it should be fine and if the water is very clean and soft, you might want to increase the value of k. This will keep pressure readings higher while not contacting the pipes as often.
On a side note, those who use spray irrigation know there can be some loss due to friction at the head. There is a little loss upstream of the spray nozzle and some at the cone.
This will also vary with the flow rate.
What Diameter PEX Should I Use?
PEX is available in 3/8- to 1-inch diameters. You can install 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch PEX for hot and cold-water lines, usually with a 1/2-inch for smaller kitchens.
But here’s the catch: You must install PEX vertically, without horizontal joints. So, if you want to install a horizontal line, you must use copper tubing (or some other material) instead of PEX.
You can’t take a 1/2-inch PEX (or smaller) pipe and make it change direction by 45 degrees or more. If you would like to install a horizontal cold-water line, you must use copper tubing instead of PEX.
| Type | Diameter |
| PEX A | 16 mm-110 mm |
| PEX B | 16 mm-110 mm |
| PEX C | 16 mm-110 mm |
How Many Gallons Per Minute Is A 3 /4 PEX Pipe?
A 3/4-inch PEX pipe boasts a maximum flow rate of 9 gallons per minute, which is more than enough to handle a moderate-sized kitchen sink.
In contrast, a 1-inch pipe can only accept 5 gallons per minute. On average, a 3/4-inch pipe can support flow rates of 10 gallons per minute.
But it’s important to remember that you should design the kitchen according to the needs of the user and the size of their family, larger homes with more people will need bigger pipes.
The third important point is that the higher flow rates of PEX pipes can reduce the need for additional valves and fittings, which will save you some money.
All other things being equal, as a rule of thumb, a 3/4-inch pipe will provide more water than a 1-inch pipe.
Still, it’s critical to remember that PEX pipes are flexible, and you should take special consideration when designing your kitchen.
Even the recommended flow rates of PEX pipes are misleading because they don’t consider the friction loss caused by fittings, valves, and joints.
Over time, friction loss can lead to a substantial decrease in the force of the water flow. This can distinguish between a properly functioning sink and one that drips and leaks.
In some cases, it’s even possible for a poorly designed or installed system to prevent water from flowing, so it’s essential to design your plumbing system according to specific needs.
What Size Hole Should I Drill For 3 4 PEX?
You should drill 7/8 inches for 3/4 PEX pipe.
To know what size hole, you should drill for 3/4 PEX pipe, first measure the inside diameter of your 3/4″ PEX pipe.
If the measurement is closer to 7/8″ than 1 inch wide, you should drill a 7/8″ hole for 3/4″ PEX pipe in your pressure cooker manifold or copper tubing fitting.
If the inside diameter of your 3/4″ PEX pipe measures closer to 1 inch wide (and not 7/8″), you should drill a 1″ hole for 3/4″ PEX pipe in your pressure cooker manifold or copper tubing fitting.
| Type | Inches |
| PEX A | 7/8 |
| PEX B | 13/16 |
| PEX C | 1 1/4 |
Can You Use 3/4 PEX For the Tub Spout?
No. The flexible PEX will not provide sufficient support for the tub spout. PEX is a rigid pipe; you should attach the spout to the sink.
If you do have flexible PEX, it is not safe for installation in your home’s structure. If you have flexible PEX that is in good condition, then contact a plumber to help you install it into your spout.
If you are installing PEX in your sink drainpipe, you can use the stainless-steel anti-corrosion hose as an adapter.
To achieve a professional look and match your sink spout, you should use the hose designed explicitly for PEX drainpipes instead.
But if you are using the anti-corrosion hose to replace an existing drainpipe, then you should replace all of the pipes at once with PEX to avoid having to replace it again later on.
Good solid steel pipe is necessary for your home’s plumbing system. You must ensure that you buy the right size and length of pipe for each installation.
Sometimes there is no other choice than to use the galvanized pipe. Galvanized metal pipes are inexpensive but often hard to clean, tend to rust over time, and can be scratched easily by sharp objects in your home.
At What Temperature Will PEX Burst?
PEX pipe has a burst pressure rating of around 800 PSI at 73 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just the pipe itself. Add in water, the burst pressure is closer to 2000 PSI. In very cold weather, that number is as high as 4000 PSI.
The only way to know your pipes’ burst temperatures is to get them tested by a professional.
But if you believe that your plumbing runs through an area of extreme winter or summer temperatures, it would be a good idea to have them blown out before the heating or cooling season kicks in.
This is what I do at this time of year to ensure that our pipes are ready for whatever nature sends us.
But suppose you’re careful about water conservation and use a blanket or space heater to keep your house warm on those cold mornings.
In that case, you can keep the burst temperature problem from happening.
Burst and broken pipes are expensive emergencies. Hurting yourself or your dogs by crossing a pipe under pressure is an even more costly emergency.
So, if you’re on a budget, one of the best ways to reduce your expenses is to keep your plumbing healthy and happy with regular maintenance.
What Size PEX Should I Use for A Bathtub?
There are four different sizes of PEX pipe, 3/8″, ½, “¾,” and 1″. The larger the diameter of the pipe, the greater the volume flow rate.
This might seem like an obvious answer; however, it can depend on how many fixtures you are using in that one area. This can be the shower, faucets, and any shower head.
The greater the circulation in a bathroom, the greater the volume flow rate for that system.
The bathroom is a common area of use for PEX. It is a place you use daily and is as efficient as possible to keep water costs down.
There are also many other uses for PEX pipes, such as plumbing pipes. You also use PEX pipes with sinks, toilets, or urinals. You can always contact a professional plumber if you are dealing with any plumbing issues.
The first thing that you need to take into consideration is the fixtures. For your bathroom, the PEX pipe size will depend on the fixtures you use.
A lot of fittings have restrictions based on the size of the pipe. Look at your shower or faucet fixture and see if any require a larger pipe.
The larger the diameter, the bigger the volume flow rate when running water through it. This becomes a problem when using multiple fixtures in the bathroom at the same time.
Conclusion
A 3/4 PEX pipe is a good material for a kitchen sink fitting. But if you want to use a stainless-steel fitting, you need to know what size of stainless-steel pipe you need.
